Beef Demand Up
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. March trade data helped show that consumers continue to buy beef despite high prices.
Tyler Cozzens (Cousins), director of the Livestock Market Information Center, said the Beef Demand Index jumped significantly in early 2026, despite prices that continued rising …
COZZENS … “The rise in the All-Fresh Beef Demand Index during the first quarter of 2026 occurred while the All-Fresh Beef Retail Price averaged $9.55 per pound. So, that was a record, and actually an increase of $1.25, or 15 percent, from the previous year.”
More recently, Cozzens says the April All-Fresh Retail Beef Price was a record at $9.64, up $1.14 per pound, or 13%.
COZZENS … “The record All-Fresh Retail Beef Price for April was largely driven by records for ground beef, which was $7.06 per pound in April. Roasts were also a record at $9.41 per pound in April, and we also saw a record for stakes at $13.02 in April.”
A significant factor in the beef market could be drought in several of the biggest production areas …
COZZENS … “The latest drought monitor map actually shows that 76 percent of the U.S. was experiencing dryness or drought conditions. Now we have to keep in mind that last year, at the same time, only 55 percent were experiencing dryness or drought.”
Cozzens says about 62% of the cattle inventory is within an area experiencing drought, compared to 29% at the same time last year.
